Help for Heroes art display for Armed Forces weekend

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Art and woodwork created by wounded, injured and sick servicemen and veterans from Phoenix House Recovery Centre will be on display at Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

In recognition of Armed Forces weekend, Tom Orde-Powlett, whose family owns the Castle and who was awarded the Military Cross in 2004 during his seven years' service with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, will donate the weekend's takings to the Northern Echo's First World War Centenary Campaign - £100,000 for Our Heroes. The money will be used to fund a Performing Arts facility at the Centre.

The centre piece of the art exhibition will be entries submitted by Years 5 and 6 at Le Cateau School in Catterick for a competition to design a T-shirt to be worn by residents at Phoenix House, including 10-year-old Lily Nicholson-Hume's winning logo, which has already been turned into a T-shirt. In return, she and the runners-up received vouchers donated by the Art Shop, Darlington and Gilpin Art in Richmond.

Veteran soldier Fred Bates, who is a regular visitor to Phoenix House, will be in the courtyard demonstrating Long Bow making.

Help for Heroes representatives will be on hand during the weekend with videos and information on the Charity, how it supports wounded, injured and sick servicemen and veterans, and how members of the public can help as volunteers. The exhibition will remain on site until July 11.

Other attractions over the Bolton Castle weekend include an owl display, a falconry flying display with new birds in the 'team' and the opportunity to feed wild boar in the Boar Park.

Children will be able to try on period costumes, play medieval games and have a go at calligraphy as well as study colourful and interesting new information boards about life in a medieval castle.

Bolton Castle is open from 10-5 daily. While Armed Forces members receive free entry to the castle throughout the year, their families will also receive free entry for the weekend.